So, Indy 2020...

[Dave Muller]

I'm not fast myself (well, not yet anyway) but I vote for go fast or go home.

[Bob Mulry]

Just a heads up...….

INDY 2018 had Class Winners in L/SA and N/SA that didn't qualify for the Eliminator....

Both Class Winners beat other racecars in their class HEADS UP to earn a Wally.

42 Factory Stock racecars entered and 32 Factory Stock racecars qualified for the Eliminator.

25% of the Stock Eliminator field was made up of Factory Stock racecars.

It almost appears that the name of Stock Eliminator should be changed to Factory Stock Eliminator

This is just another case of the NEW NHRA discarding history.

You have probably heard it before but it appears that the NEW NHRA doesn't have a clue and possibly never will.

[Kevin McKenna]

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

Just a heads up...….

INDY 2018 had Class Winners in L/SA and N/SA that didn't qualify for the Eliminator....

Both Class Winners beat other racecars in their class HEADS UP to earn a Wally.

42 Factory Stock racecars entered and 32 Factory Stock racecars qualified for the Eliminator.

1/3 of the Stock Eliminator field was made up of Factory Stock racecars.

It almost appears that the name of Stock Eliminator should be changed to Factory Stock Eliminator

This is just another case of the NEW NHRA discarding history.

You have probably heard it before but it appears that the NEW NHRA doesn't have a clue and possibly never will.

How is that discarding history? It's more like history repeating itself.

The '55-'57 Chevy guys all complained when the '61-'63 lightweight Fords, Pontiacs, and Mopars showed up.

The '61-'63 lightweight guys complained when the '67-'70 Big block and Hemi cars showed up.

The '67-'70 big block and Hemi guys complained when the LT1 and EFI cars showed up.

The EFI guys complain about the Factory Stock cars.
It's called progress and it's inevitable. And believe me, I absolutely love the fact that there are so many cool old cars still racing in Stock.

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Kevin McKenna

How is that discarding history? It's more like history repeating itself. ...

Kevin, I usually agree with you so often that it almost gets embarrassing. And I still agree with part of your post. Racers have always complained about new combinations and technology that affects their chance to win. They always will.


But discarding history has to do with how class winners are now treated. In every sanctioning body I can think of, the cars were separated into classes with roughly the same performance. The cars that won class were the best of their kind. And then, to choose the overall eliminator, those winners raced each other.


To me, it just comes down to believing that winning class means something. It's been part of the process to find the best performing car of the race. But now, multiple cars who weren't even the best in their class will take the place of others who won their class.

[Whalen3186]

I'm all for most of the history and traditions of our sport but this idea is a step backwards in the wrong direction.

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

If a particular class has an index problem (ie SS/AH) fix the index, don't screw up the whole category.

[1matcoman]

Originally Posted by Whalen3186

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

No disagreement, sir. But, shame on the -1.10 car who red lights to the -.50 guy. j/s

[HawkBrosMav]

Since INDY is such a sought after race to go to every year why don't we have the entry system that doesn't involve grade points it involves performance at the previous years Divisionals.

Each Division designates 3 Divisionals that are considered "Indy Qualifiers" take each racers average of those 3 races qualifying times (their final qualifying time not of every pass) and qualify the TOP 160 or what ever the quota is that particular year. These racers have until a certain day to enter then let the next 60 enter the following week and release the next 60 each week until the race fills.. that way Indy is more likely to have the best cars there every year not some guy who can only go -.500 holding a spot because he has 8 grade points. This might also force some guys to run there stuff hard more often to make sure they get an invite and may speed up the AFHS system a bit.

Just a thought. Though I'm also all for the Class winners auto making the field and then filling from the fastest non winners to fill the 128 car field. Make it worth a little extra to be the best in your class that year.

[Bob Mulry]

Originally Posted by Whalen3186

I'm all for most of the history and traditions of our sport but this idea is a step backwards in the wrong direction.

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

If a particular class has an index problem (ie SS/AH) fix the index, don't screw up the whole category.

The 1.10 under car will get in based on performance and not driving...

Do you think that driving should count for something in a drag race??

[Whalen3186]

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

The 1.10 under car will get in based on performance and not driving...

Do you think that driving should count for something in a drag race??

Driving should certainly count, as well as performance. That’s why we have 2 races contested at Indy, class and the eliminator. Everyone needs varying degrees of driver skill and car performance in both.

Everybody gets their shot to run class.

You want to qualify for the eliminator that combines every individual class? Earn that spot by out performing enough people to make it into the top 128.

How about two K/S cars race for the trophy. Car 1 goes -.91 . Car 2 goes -88 and beats car 1 on a holeshot. Car 1 gets to run the eliminator @ # 126. Car 2 ( class winner) ends up #132 , and gets to watch car 1 on race day.
Fair? Right?

Sounds fair to me. I’ve been on both sides of the cutoff line at Indy.

I’m out, gotta keep working on my stuff to make the top 128 in 5 days.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Whalen3186

I'm all for most of the history and traditions of our sport but this idea is a step backwards in the wrong direction.

Two L/SA cars show up at Indy, car A is -1.10 under the index and car B is -.50. Car A red lights to give B the class win. Say the #128 qualifier is the M/SA class runner up is -.90. No way should the -.50 L/SA make the eliminator before the -.90 M car.

If a particular class has an index problem (ie SS/AH) fix the index, don't screw up the whole category.

How about two K/S cars race for the trophy. Car 1 goes -.91 . Car 2 goes -88 and beats car 1 on a holeshot. Car 1 gets to run the eliminator @ # 126. Car 2 ( class winner) ends up #132 , and gets to watch car 1 on race day.
Fair? Right?